Professional Development Seminar Series

Coordinated by the GSC Professional Development Committee in partnership with other K-State units and external organizations, these seminars, workshops, and forums facilitate the development of competencies for academic success and career readiness.

Direct questions about GSC Professional Development events to the Graduate Student Council at egsc@ksu.edu.

 

2023-2024 Events

All events for the 2023-2024 academic year have concluded. Video recordings are available for most events. K-State graduate students and post-docs may continue to watch videos to earn credit for the 2023-2024 GSC Professional Development Certificate until May 10, 2024. Videos will remain accessible after May 10, but credit toward the certificate will be granted only for videos viewed by May 10, 2024.

 

Acclimating to American Graduate-Level Writing: A workshop for international graduate students

This workshop is designed for international and English Language Learner (ELL) graduate students. It will focus on transitioning to U.S. graduate-level writing expectations and on writing issues and frustrations frequently encountered by ELL and international students. Participants will discuss the impact culture has on writing norms, faculty writing expectations, and much more. They’ll leave the workshop with a greater understanding of cultural expectations around writing and increased confidence about their positions on and contributions to a U.S. university campus.

NOTE: This session was not held live in 2023-2024. You will see a recording from the previous academic year.

 

Writing CVs, Resumes, and Cover Letters

Experts will share tips on how to effectively highlight your skills, abilities, and experiences. No matter whether you plan to pursue a career in academia, industry, or elsewhere, join us for this session to boost your chance of getting that job!

NOTE: This session was not held live in 2023-2024. You will see a recording from the previous academic year.

 

Graduate Level Writing Workshop

Looking to take your writing skills to the next level as a graduate student? This writing workshop is for you! Writing Center Assistant Director, Theresa Merrick Cassidy, will lead attendees in a workshop designed to provide new and continuing graduate students with strategies to improve their writing skills and habits. Learn how to set up a writing schedule, navigate common writing errors, and revise your writing to maximize research impact.

NOTE: This session was not held live in 2023-2024. You will see a recording from the previous academic year.

 

Leverage Instructional Design + Mobile Technology for Science Engagement

August 14, 10:00am
Zoom

In this webinar, learn how you (science experts!) can apply simple instructional design techniques and cost effective mobile hardware and software to design and implement science engagement programs for youth and adult audiences. Also, get a behind the scenes look at "The Streaming Science Project" and how college students and scientists work together through project-based learning courses and projects to develop multimedia products and outreach programs with the goal of increasing science literacy and science-based behavior intentions.

Hosted by the Kansas Science Communication Initiative.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Information Session

August 30, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Zoom

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. The GRFP provides three years of support including a $37,000 stipend and $12,000 toward tuition. This information session will take an in-depth look at the requirements for an NSF GFRP submission, and will include a panel discussion faculty members who have served as application reviewers or have mentored students who received the fellowship.

Note: Due to technical challenges, a recording of this year's session was not captured, but you may access a recording of the session from September 2022.

 

Career Development Speaker Series: Elevator Pitches and Networking

August 30, 3:30 - 4:30pm
329 Justin Hall and Zoom

This session is offered as part of the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences Career Development Speaker series, which covers a variety of topics to help prepare students for their future careers. Graduate students who attend may receive credit toward the GSC Professional Development Certificate.

E-mail Dana Parker, career development coordinator, if you have any questions or need Zoom information.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Putting Together a Competitive NSF GRFP Application

September 8, 12:00 - 1:00pm, 247 Leadership Studies

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is an award valued at over $145,000 that can support graduate students in STEM and the social sciences. A strong application includes a personal statement detailing your growth as a scientist, and a proposed research plan. Students are eligible during their senior year and in years 1 or 2 of graduate school. This session will cover tips for organizing your essays, understanding broader impacts and intellectual merit, and maximizing your effectiveness in telling your story and describing your research.

Who should attend: Students who are applying this year for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) are strongly encouraged to attend this session.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Data Visualization for Science Communication

September 11, 1:00pm
Zoom

For this webinar, we are joined by Dr. Nellie Hill, an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communications and Journalism at Kansas State University, to discuss effective data visualization for science communication and existing resources available to you.

Hosted by the Kansas Science Communication Initiative

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Career Development Speaker Series: Utilizing Handshake to find Jobs/Internships

September 13, 3:30 - 4:30pm
329 Justin Hall and Zoom

This session is offered as part of the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences Career Development Speaker series, which covers a variety of topics to help prepare students for their future careers. Graduate students who attend may receive credit toward the GSC Professional Development Certificate.
E-mail Dana Parker, career development coordinator, if you have any questions or need Zoom information.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Writing Workshop

September 15, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Zoom and 247 Leadership Studies

Planning to submit an application for the NSF GRFP? Give your draft a test run with a writing workshop led by a seasoned NSF advisor. Attendees must submit a draft of their personal statement by 5pm on Tuesday, September 12. Each attendee is assigned to review one peer’s application using a rubric provided. The advisor will read all applications and facilitate a conversation where feedback is given to each person and everyone gets a chance to learn from their own and others’ feedback. Students can attend in person or via Zoom.

Who should attend: Students who are applying this year for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) are strongly encouraged to attend this session.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Career Development Speaker Series: Business Professional vs. Business Casual Attire

September 20, 3:30 - 4:30pm
329 Justin Hall and Zoom

This session is offered as part of the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences Career Development Speaker series, which covers a variety of topics to help prepare students for their future careers. Graduate students who attend may receive credit toward the GSC Professional Development Certificate.

E-mail Dana Parker, career development coordinator, if you have any questions or need Zoom information.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Identifying Graduate Research Fellowship Opportunities

September 21, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Zoom

Learn about graduate fellowship opportunities. Key funding opportunities will be discussed from NSF, DoD, DoE, Hertz Foundation, and the American Association of University Women. Opportunities in the Humanities and Social Sciences will also be addressed — plus learn to search for fellowships on your own.

 

Presenting your research to the public in a poster session

October 4, 1:30-3:00pm
Wildcat Chamber, K-State Student Union

Are you participating in Research and the State or another poster session this semester? Join this session to learn how to effectively communicate your research to non-expert audiences (i.e., people who do not have an academic or research background in the same area of study as you). You will learn how to tailor your presentation to your audience to effectively communicate the focus and value of your graduate work.

 

Writing Excellent Teaching Statements

February 28, 1:30-2:30pm
Zoom

In this dynamic writing workshop, graduate students and post-docs will learn to craft compelling teaching statements for academic job applications. Join Dr. Don Saucier, university distinguished teaching scholar, professor of psychological sciences, and faculty associate director of the Teaching and Learning Center, in a discussion to explore effective strategies to articulate your teaching philosophy.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Leading with Strengths in Complex Adaptive Systems

February 27, 2:30-3:30 PM

Leading with strengths requires building awareness of self and others to drive positive change. This session will explore how a strengths-based approach to exercising leadership can be used to strengthen relationships and improve organizational culture. By focusing on the human nature of leadership, participants will learn how a strengths-based approach can shift patterns and address tough challenges within complex systems.

Presented by: Dr. Murry Streetman and Katie Buhler

 

Leadership Coaching

March 5, 2:00-3:30 PM

To lead change requires us to see new possibilities. Coaching is a strategy for continual learning and courageous action. Participants will develop a coach-like stance as they learn how to ask powerful questions to support their own and others’ learning and development, as well as make progress on personal and professional challenges.

Presented by: Dr. Andrew Wefald and Shukeyla Harrison

 

Grant Writing Workshop for graduate students and post-docs

March 27, 1:00-5:00 pm
Zoom

Whether you are new to grant writing or have some experience, this training is definitely for you! Participants will learn about the various aspects of the grant writing process including writing a narrative and project summary, justifying your budget, reviewing criteria and evaluation, and developing your objectives and goals.